How to Feed a French Bulldog

The French Bulldog is a sweet, outgoing small breed enjoys being around their pet parents. Learn how to feed your Frenchie.

The French bulldog is a gentle, playful small breed that loves plenty of human contact and interaction. Also known as “Frenchies,” French Bulldogs are mellow, low-activity pets that do not require vigorous exercise and generally do not have special dietary needs. Frenchies are susceptible to certain medical conditions because of their physical features, but these are not affected by diet. As with all dogs, proper nutrition makes your French Bulldog a happy, healthy pup. French Bulldogs have short and broad muzzles, making it difficult for them to eat or drink from a regular dog bowl. Provide bowls that accommodate your pup's facial structure; a shallow dish is most appropriate.

What Should a French Bulldog Eat?

There are no specific guidelines for feeding Frenchies, according to the French Bull Dog Club of America. Ideally, your French Bulldog will be on a meat-based diet, as dogs require meat to stay healthy. However, compared with other types of dog foods, fresh or frozen meat is both costly and inconvenient to feed to your dog, and by itself does not constitute a balanced diet. High-quality dry food is recommended for French Bulldogs when a nutritionally balanced meat-based diet is not available. Select what is most appropriate to feed your French bulldog based on you and your pet's needs and preferences.

Food Options

Your options for feeding your French Bulldog are commercial dry food (kibble), canned food, raw food, and homemade meals. Commercial dog foods of all types come in different levels of quality; the higher the quality of the food, the less your French Bulldog will need to eat. High-quality dog foods have less filler material and more nutrients and proteins.

Dry food contains a combination of ingredients, including meat, grains, vitamins, minerals, fats, and byproducts. It is easily digestible and is generally less costly to feed than other types of dog food; thus it is preferred by many dog owners.

Canned dog food ingredients are similar to dry food and the two types are nutritionally comparable, according to veterinary nutrition experts interviewed in a March 2009 Consumer Reports article on dog food cost and quality. Canned foods are more costly to feed because they are 75 percent water, the article reported; resultantly, you must feed your Frenchie more canned food to obtain the same calories.

Raw food diets typically include ground beef, steak, chicken breast, heart, liver, kidney, and bone. They may also include small portions of vegetables and fruits. Raw diets are available commercially, or you may prefer to prepare your dog's food at home. Check with your veterinarian before feeding your Frenchie raw meat. Wash your hands, kitchen utensils, and all surfaces thoroughly after handling raw mean to avoid potential bacterial contamination.

Feeding Technicalities

How many calories your French Bulldog requires per day varies according to your dog's size, age, activity level, and metabolism. The amount of food it takes to provide those calories depends on the type and quality of the food. To determine how much of a particular food you should feed your French Bulldog, read the label on the dog food packaging or call the manufacturer for the information you need. You should also consult your veterinarian about the best food for your Frenchie. Be sure to consult your vet or a veterinary nutrition specialist if you are considering a raw-meat or home-cooked diet for your Frenchie, as such diets are more difficult to balance.

Precautions

Wheat products can cause digestive distress such as flatulence in some Frenchies, according to the French Bull Dog Club of America. Foods containing corn products and fillers with too much protein can cause a French Bulldog to develop skin irritation or rashes. If your French Bulldog has food allergies, consult your vet for feeding recommendations.

This information is for informational purposes only and is not meant as a substitute for the professional advice of, or diagnosis or treatment by, your veterinarian. Always seek the advice of your veterinarian or other qualified professional with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard or delay seeking professional advice due to what you may have read on our website.